This summer the Tropenmuseum pulls out all the stops when it stages a Caribbean Carnival for the whole family

The Carnival will be officially opened on Sunday, 5 July by the Queen of the Rotterdam Summer Carnival 2008. Admission is free on that day for children up to the age of 12 (provided they are accompanied by an adult). You can find full details of the programme at www.tropenmuseum.nl.

Origin of the Caribbean Carnival

Originally, it was European colonists who took the Carnival to the Caribbean. The African slaves adopted it and created their own version by adding dance and music. The African influence has come to play a dominant role in the Carnival festivities, which now take place almost everywhere in the Caribbean. For a long time, Trinidad has set the trend, but each country still celebrates Carnival in its own way. The inhabitants of Curaçao and Aruba celebrate Carnival at the traditional time, just before the Catholic period of Lent in February and March. On Saint Martin it takes place at the end of April and in Rotterdam the Summer Carnival takes place as late as the end of July.

Every day during the Caribbean Carnival

Walk the carnival route and discover all the things you need for a carnival procession. Every day between 11.00 and16.30 children (aged 4-12) can make their own carnival decorations and help to dress up a float. They can even join in one of the steel drum workshops at 13.00 and 15.00 (reservations are advisable; call +31 (0)20-5688233).

Other events

Grand opening of the Caribbean Carnival – free admission for children up to the age of 12
5 July, Light Hall, all day
Grand opening of the Caribbean Carnival. All day long, children can make their own carnival decorations and participate in steel drum workshops. At 14.00, Esmée Ronde, Queen of the Summer Carnival 2008, will declare the festivities officially open. This will be followed by live music and dancers in resplendent carnival costumes. On this special day the Tropenmuseum invites all children up to the age of 12 (accompanied by at least one adult) to visit the Tropenmuseum for free.

Street Parade Summer Carnival 2009
22 July, Light Hall, from 14.00
Get a taste of the fun three days before the ‘real’ Rotterdam Summer Carnival street parade on 25 July. Come to the Tropenmuseum and enjoy the merriment, complete with live music, dancers and, of course, the brand new Queen of the Summer Carnival 2009.

Closing feast Caribbean Carnival
6 September, Light Hall, from 14.00
The Caribbean Carnival will close with a performance by the Bijlmer Steelband Kids, the youngest steel band in the Netherlands.

About the Tropenmuseum

The Tropenmuseum presents, studies and promotes knowledge of and interaction with other cultures. The museum offers perception and experience to a wide and diverse audience using the full spectrum of museological means, which includes exhibitions, collections and expertise, publications, the historic building and educational and other activities. The Royal Tropical Institute’s museum is internationally involved in the areas of culture and development. The Tropenmuseum receives support from the BankGiro Loterij.

Contact details:
Linnaeusstraat 2
Amsterdam
+31 (0)20-568 8200
tropenmuseum@kit.nl
www.tropenmuseum.nl

The Tropenmuseum is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm.
On 5, 24 and 31 December open from 10 am – 3 pm.
The museum is closed on 1 January, 30 April, 5 May and 25 December

Note to editors
For more information please contact Anna Brolsma at the Tropenmuseum, on tel. +31 (0)20 – 568 8422 or by e-mail: a.brolsma@kit.nl. For visual material, please visit www.tropenmuseum.nl, select ‘About the Tropenmuseum’ and click on ‘Press’.